Australia

Freehills

Russell Allen Graeme Smith QV.1 Building 250 St George Terrace Perth WA 6000 Australia  Tel : +61 8 9211 7777 Fax : +61 8 9211 7878 www.freehills.com.au

..................................................................................................................................................................................

Since its establishment 150 years ago, Freehills has grown to become one of Australia’s leading commercial law firms. Freehills is committed to providing innovative commercial legal services and advice. The firm undertakes high-level work for the majority of Australia’s top 100 listed companies. It was one of the first Australian law firms to establish a national partnership, and now has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. In addition, the firm has an established presence across South-East Asia, with an office in Singapore, and long term associations with firms in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Of the firm’s 1000 lawyers, including over 200 partners, the firm dedicates more than 100 legal staff to its Employee Relations practice group, making it the largest and most experienced employment law practice in Australia.

For 2007, Chambers, the Asia Pacific Legal 500, and Practical Law Company’s Which Lawyer, consistently rank Freehills as “Tier 1” or “Leading” for employment law: “This “top-rate” national practice is said to be “consistently strong across the country, especially where industrial relations are concerned.” The team is “regularly involved in high-profile cases” and has a “loyal client base.” Clients appreciate the “comprehensive advice” it provides, which they say “perfectly combines legal expertise and commercial know-how.” (Chambers, 2007).

In addition, many practice group partners, including Russell Allen, Graeme Smith, John Colvin and John Cooper, are recognised as leading or highly recommended individuals for labour and employment law.

The Employee Relations practice group has substantial industry experience, giving it an understanding of practical and commercial industry concerns. The practice group has been involved in many of Australia’s major industrial disputes and employment cases over the last 20 years. Significant clients and work highlights for 2007 mentioned in both Chambers and the Asia Pacific Legal 500, include advising Rio Tinto on the development of workplace relations strategies for new port and mine infrastructure projects, and representing the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in complex workplace relations litigation concerning redundancy and award enforcement, among others.

The Employee Relations practice extends beyond traditional industrial and employment law services to embrace strategic employee relations planning, workplace change facilitation and management training. The group’s key service offering include:

• Employment law
• Workplace relations
• Equal opportunity, discrimination and diversity
• Privacy or data protection
• Occupational health and safety
• Training.

In addition, the practice group offers clients a broad range of ‘value-add’ services, including seminars on legal developments, newsletters and legal updates, and client secondments. Freehills electronic newsletters – the Freehills Employee Relations Review and Express and the Freehills Asia-Pacific Employee Relations Review - cover a wide range of legal areas, which enable clients across Australia and the Asia-Pacific to be conveniently updated on leading changes and the likely implications for their business.

At the end of each year, the group produces an Annual Workplace Relations Review, highlighting the major developments in employment law and workplace relations during the year. Please visit the Freehills website (www.freehills.com) to order a copy.

Additional Freehills Offices
..................................................................................................................................................................................

Brisbane	Central Plaza 1 345 Queen Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Tel: +61 7 3258 6666 Fax: +61 7 3258 6444 Mike Coonan
.....................................................................................................................
Melbourne	101 Collins Street Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: +61 3 9288 1234 Fax: +61 3 92881567 Russell Allen
.....................................................................................................................
Sydney	19-29 Martin Place MLC Centre Sydney NSW 2000 Tel:+ 61 2 9225 5000 Fax: +61 2 9322 4000 Chris Barton

..................................................................................................................................................................................